The cast of Dick Whittington – including panto legend Damian Williams and Cbeebies presenter Andy Day – brought smiles to the faces of the patients and families.

Jo Parsons, from the cast of Dick Whittington with Auguste Blazyte, three and Renotos Blazyte at Sheffield's Children Hospital. Picture: Andrew Roe

The stage stars – who were in full costume, with panto dame Damian, who plays Dolly the Cook, dressed as a bottle of ‘flairy liquid’, posed for photos and chatted with staff as they made their way around the wards.

Patient Declan O’Brien, aged 14, was delighted to meet the cast that have been performing at the city’s Lyceum Theatre, including Jo Parsons, who plays Dick.

His mum Bridgette O’Brien, said: “It has been lovely. It really brightened the ward up having them come to see us. We loved it.”

Damian said: ‘I’m pleased we were able to visit the children on the wards.

“We spoke to a lot of the children and their families and it’s great to see that they enjoyed having us.”

Dick Whittington tells the story of a boy who sets off for London to make his fortune in the big city, and also features EastEnders actress Samantha Womack as Fairy Bow-Bells and Gemma Sutton as Alice Fitzwarren.